Do some patients heal from rhinoplasty faster than others? Does having thin skin help this?

Question

I recently had rhinoplasty and have swelling in the tip. I know this is expected and can last several months to 1y. I was told I have very thin skin so Fingers crossed this improves sooner. The doctor had to do a lot of work to the tip of the nose as well as resetting my bones, hump, cartilage grafts, even had a bruised tip! Ever had any lucky thin skinned patients swelling resolve fully in as little as a couple months. How can you tell when the swelling is completely resolved, hardness is gone?

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, FACS · Answer

Your question is a good one.  Both thin and thick skin will have swelling.  Thin skin does tend to have quicker resolution of tip edema but it will still take several months to even over a year for the swelling to fully resolve.  I tend to be more conservative with the use of injectional steroids in the tip of thin skin patients but it is something that you can ask your surgeon about if the tip seems swollen for a prolonged period of time.

A. Joshua Zimm, MD · Answer

There is always variability in patients' healing.  Having thin skin does sometimes mean the swelling will resolve more quickly, but not always.  The biggest thing here, and I know it's hard, is that you have to have some patience to go through the process.  Best wishes in your continued recovery.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

Thin skin or thick skin rhinoplasty takes its own time to progress to its final stage.  Only advantage thin skin gives you is that your final result will be better.

Talmage J. Raine, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

The skin of the nose is quite specialized and does hold onto water like a sponge. 80% of the swelling  is gone in a few weeks, the last 20% takes six months. Forget about looking in the mirror every day, it will just frustrate you. Keep the faith.All the best,Talmage Raine MD

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Yes, some patients heal faster than others.  There is no way to know before Rhinoplasty surgery if you will heal in weeks or a year.  Many times having thin skin can help.  Follow up with your plastic surgeon so he can monitor your progress.

Do some patients heal from rhinoplasty faster than others? Does having thin skin help this?

Answers (5)

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